When you see a deer, you might wonder if it's just a chance meeting or if it means something deeper. Join SpiritualBlossom to learn what the deer symbolizes, what dreaming about a dear means, and what it means when the deer is your spirit animal.
The beauty and grace of the gentle deer has mesmerized us since the dawn of time. They have lived alongside us for as long as we can remember, and they have provided us with sustenance, friendship, and magic. When you see a deer, sometimes it's just because you are in the right place at the right time to be blessed with their presence. Sometimes seeing a deer means something much more profound. Read on to find out what the deer is and what they mean spiritually. Learn all about dreams of deer, and what it means for the deer to be your spiritual animal. Read all the way to the end to find out how to learn more about the spiritual meaning of animals.
What’s a Deer?
Deer are hoofed mammals that live on every continent except for Australia and Antarctica. There are 43 different species of deer and they have been around from at least the Paleolithic era, where they showed up in cave paintings. They have played a major role in religion, mythology, and literature throughout all of history. It's hard to say how different human culture would be without deer. What we do know is that deer are a highly adaptable species, and know how to make their homes and survive almost anywhere. Different kinds of deer thrive in tropical environments, colder environments, and even in thickets, however, deer are famous for living in woodlands and forests. Another creature you might see in nature is the butterfly and you can read about it here: What Does a Butterfly Symbolize?
Although there are less than 50 species of deer, they are one of the most diverse families of animals. For the most part they all have long legs, v shaped tails, and long ears. Different kinds of deer look very unique from one another. The largest member of the deer family is the moose which can weigh over 1800 pounds and the smallest is the northern pudu which can weigh as little as 7 1/4 pounds. Male deer are known for their antlers although in some species like the reindeer, females have antlers too. They typically eat shrubs, trees, and grasses. They are believed to have evolved from another species beginning 30 million years ago and this may be the first that we know of deer to have developed antlers. They were an important food source for early hominids and even after people started farming, we continued to eat deer.
Deer Spiritual Meaning
Perhaps because they were such an important food service and found nearly everywhere in the world, deer have always been very important to people. Rather than just think of them as meat, our ancestors thought of them as sacred. It was believed that they had the ability to move between the worlds and that they represented the father god. They also symbolize grace and agility, bravery, and the forest itself.
Moving Between the Worlds
The Celts believed the deer had the ability to move between the world of the living and the Otherworld, a spirit realm where the dead, gods, and Sidhe, or fairies live. They believed that people could transform into deer or stage to escape capture, and albino deer were especially believed to travel to the spirit realm. The Cailleach, a mother goddess, is said by some to transform into a deer, and it is believed that she tends her sacred deer in County Cork, Ireland. To learn about another animal that is sacred, the cardinal, read here: What is Red Cardinal Spiritual Meaning?
The Father God
An ancient horned god named Cernunnos was worshiped in Gallo-Roman and Gallic faiths. The most famous depiction of him is the Gundestrup Cauldron, where he has a human body and face, but the horns of a stag. Called “the horned god” by neo pagans, he is believed to have been a father god of fertility, male virility, power, and a protector of the animals. There is no surviving literature from history about him, but various other images of him have been found on Roman and Gallic carvings. He is depicted with torcs, which probably represented divinity, royalty, power, and high status. To learn about gods and goddesses of the sea, read here: The Folklore, Myths, and Gods of the Sea
Agility
Known as some of the most graceful animals on the planet, deer are able to jump as high as 10 feet or as far as 30 feet and one single leap. Some species of deer can run up to 30 miles per hour, and they do this to escape predators. They have a strong sense of smell and hearing that alerts them to predators, and they are able to hide in the water for safety. Their hooves and legs are adapted to help them to manage rough terrain, even climbing up mountains and running swiftly through thickets, forests, and hills. To read about another agile creature, the eagle see here: What Does Seeing an Eagle Mean Spiritually?
Bravery
Male deer are called stags, and stags can be seen in nature walking in front of the female deer, called does, and the baby deer, called fawns to protect them. Sometimes, two stags can be seen locking horns with one another, neither wanting to back down and making a mighty noise roaring at one another. This is for a battle over territory or mates. Deer whether they are male or female will venture out into prairies and other open places in search of food even if their predators are nearby. Unafraid of facing dangers, deer have inspired many people with their bravery throughout the ages. To read about another brave animal, the black cat, see here call in The Magic and Superstitions of Black Cats
The Forest
Deer represent the woods themselves. Many species of deer are woodland creatures, and their bodies have naturally adapted to perfectly camouflage with their surroundings. When you are walking through the woods, and a deer suddenly appears, it might seem like they materialized from the trees and were not there before. The deer represents natural beauty, the wilderness, and being at home in your own environment. Although deer have adapted well to life in more urbanized areas, they still represent the untamed wilderness of the woods. To read about another beautiful living thing in nature, the lotus flower, see here: Lotus Flower Meaning and Symbolism
Dreams About Deer
Dreams about deer can represent all of the things that deer symbolize, or they can appear to you in a dream to give you a specific message. Pay close attention to the specific details about the dream if you want to interpret it. When you dream about deer antlers, it means something different than what dreaming about a deer skull does. Dreaming about deer meat means something different than dreaming about a white-tailed deer and when you dream about an albino deer, that means something different than dreams about deer calls.
Dreams About Deer Antlers
Many cultures of people relied on deer meat for survival. So having a successful deer hunt represented success in general. Deer also represent success because of how versatile they are, and how well they flee from predators. Deer use their antlers to battle for territory and mates, and some females choose male deer to be their mates based on the appearance of their antlers. When you dream about deer antlers you are being instructed to show off your successes but to also have confidence in your abilities to succeed. To read about one of the signs known for being successful, Capricorn see here: Capricorn Zodiac Traits and Love Compatibility
Dreams About a Deer Skull
Ancestry is represented by deer skulls. Some people are afraid of the appearance of bones and dreams, but when you dream about deer skulls you needn't be afraid. Your ancestors are speaking to you. When you have this dream, write down all the details about it, and then speak aloud to your ancestors, asking them to make the messages clear that they are trying to deliver to you. Your ancestors will give you guidance in your daily life, and sometimes they visit you in dreams just to say hello and to tell you that they love you. To read about a holiday that venerates the dead, Samhain, see here: All About Samhain
Dreams About Deer Meat
Deer meat represents wealth. To this day, in some parts of the world, if there is plenty of food to eat for your family, that's a sign that you are thriving financially. If you dream that you have a larder full of deer meat, it means that you have everything that you need including enough to share with those who go without. If you have a dream that you are hunting deer meat, it means that you are working toward being wealthier. If you dream that deer meat is scarce, it means that you are going to have some financial hardships. To read about dream interpretations see here: Your Guide to Dreams and Interpretation of Them
Dreams About a White-Tailed Deer
Perhaps because they are so difficult to capture, white-tailed deer represent freedom. They are so plentiful in some places that they strip the forest bare, and people try to keep their populations in check, but the white-tailed deer continues to thrive no matter what. When you dream about a white-tailed deer fleeing, you're being told to leave a situation and never look back. When you dream about a white-tailed deer family, you're being told to make decisions that give your family and friends the maximum amount of freedom. To read more about dream interpretations see here: Your Guide to Dream Meanings
Dreams About an Albino Deer
The Otherworld is represented in dreams about an albino deer. If you dream that you meet an albino deer in the forest, it means that you are surrounded by the spirits of the land. If you dream that an albino deer is leading you someplace, you are being told that you have the ability to speak to spirits. If you dream that an albino deer is watching you, it means that you will soon receive messages from the other side. To read even more about dream interpretations see here: Your Dream Bible and Dream Analysis Guide
Dreams About Deer Calls
Deer calls in dreams symbolize warnings. When you dream that a deer is calling out to you, pay attention, because something is wrong. If you dream that a deer is calling out to beckon you to it, you're being told to pay attention to omens to lead you to something that will be good for you. If you dream that a deer is calling and it frightens you, it means that there are hidden threats, and you should protect yourself. Usually, deer prefer to flee than to stand their ground and fight a predator, so be prepared to make a quick escape when you dream of deer calls. To read about dreams of snakes see here: Dreaming of Snakes- Meaning and Symbolism
Deer Spirit Animal Meaning
A lot of people talk about spirit animals, but what does that mean? Spirit animals are animals that we share a spiritual connection with and they are kind enough to teach us profound lessons. When the deer is your spirit animal, it teaches you to be ever vigilant for hidden dangers and protect yourself by staying away from them. The deer spirit animal also teaches you to find the right environment where you thrive, and make it your permanent home. They teach you to fight for what is rightfully yours, and to be your true self. They also teach you to make family and your significant other a priority over everything else.
What should you do to thank the deer if it is your spirit animal? Many deer species are endangered and it's not because other animals are eating them. It's because human beings are destroying the planet. If you really want to do something to thank your deer spirit animal, you should do something for the deer. Drive safely in more rural areas and slow down especially after dark lest you run over a deer that runs out in front of your car. Disease transmitted by ticks can kill deer, so make sure to use products to reduce the risk of ticks on your pets and that can help stop the spread of ticks. Deforestation takes away deer habitats and about 1/4 of global tree cover loss has been due to wildfires. Do not throw out cigarette butts or build fires in nature to try and help prevent wildfires from beginning. To read about the humble spider, another gentle creature of the earth, see here: Dreams About Spiders- Meaning and Symbolism
When a deer crosses your path, it can mean a lot of different things. Spiritually, deer symbolize the masculine divine, agility, bravery, and the forest itself. Dreams about deer can symbolize all of these things as well as wealth, ancestors, being successful, or even communication with the Otherworld. When the deer is your spirit animal, it can teach you all of its gifts. Most of all, seeing a deer isn't always just a chance meeting. May the deer cross your path with deep messages and blessings. So Be It.
Would you like to know more about the spiritual significance of the animals that appear to you? Reach out to a SpiritualBlossom psychic to get a reading about that started today. Make sure to read all of our articles and learn about folklore, magic, love, and astrology.
About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for SpiritualBlossom. She has written for Mysticsense and PaganPagesOrg emag.
